The Empaths (Book one in The Empaths series)

Chapter Six

Monday morning. Not the easiest of days at the best of times, but today, Lucy wanted to pull the blanket up over her head and forget about everything. She did not want to deal with a Monday, today.

She was just in the process of yanking at her blanket when her phone buzzed. Reaching over, she unplugged it from the charger and touched the screen. It was Lilith.

I'm so glad I'm not starting alone today.

Lucy read the message over and over, and came to the decision that today wasn't about her. It was about her new friend, Lilith. Everything else would have wait. Today, she was not some weird empath. She was just normal, old, Lucy Owens, who was here to help her friends with something simple – like starting their first day at a new school. That, she could handle.

She sent back: Did you want me to give you a ride? That way you're definitely not arriving alone.

Lilith sent through a gif of a dancing chihuahua.

Lucy laughed and texted: I'll pick you up at Eight. What's your address?

After Lilith sent through her details, Lucy climbed out of bed and went to take a shower. She washed her hair, brushed her teeth and definitely did not think about the conversation they'd had with Scarlett last night.

She dressed, putting extra layers on because it was still freezing, packed her bag and headed downstairs to have breakfast before she left to pick up Lilith.

"No run this morning?" Jared was already sitting at the kitchen bench, stuffing his face, as usual.

She shook her head. "I don't have the energy today."

Jared nodded. "Any weird dreams last night?"

Lucy stopped what she was doing. "You know what, no. I don't even remember what I dreamt about." She spun around and smiled at her brother. "That's good, right?"

"I guess," he said with a shrug, and then he pointed to a mug on the bench. "For you."

"Thank you." She took a sip of her peppermint tea, letting the warm liquid ease her anxiety, and decided today was going to be a good day. No more surprises.

"We're giving Lilith a lift today," she said as she sat down beside Jared.

"Cool," he replied, shoveling more cereal into his mouth.

"She's had a really hard time, so it will be nice for her to have some support."

Jared nodded. "Okay." He sat for a moment before his brain kicked in. "What do you mean, she's had a hard time? Did she tell you why she moved?"

Lucy nodded. "And that's why I'm telling you, she needs our support."

"What happened?" he asked.

Lucy shook her head. "It's not my place to say. She'll tell you when she's ready."

"Fair call," Jared replied, shoveling more food into his mouth.

"Just be extra nice today, okay?" Lucy added.

"I'm always nice," he replied.

She rolled her eyes.

"So," Jared continued, his tone a little more wary. "How are you feeling about everything that Scarlett shared with us last night?"

Lucy shook her head again. "Nope. No way. I don't want to discuss it this morning. I just want to pretend it didn't happen."

Jared opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off.